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Last updated: 18 March 2021

Which skirting boards are best?

I'm looking to get new skirting boards but don't know what to go for. Can someone advise me which skirting boards are better? MDF, softwood, or hardwood?

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Question: I'm looking to get new skirting boards but don't know what to go for. Can someone advise me which skirting boards are better? MDF, softwood, or hardwood?

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Answer(s):

Jason Morrison, J Morrison Joinery, Dingwall

Hi there. From 25yrs experience hardwood looks good, softwood just cups so MDF I would say, a bit of flex in it to get good tight mitres.

Sam Littlejohn, Scribes Carpentry, Eastbourne

Yes agreed with the above, softwood will cup twist and shrink etc even if screwed and plugged. MDF is virtually the most stable product you can get for skirting. If you want the stability of MDF but the allure of hardwood, go for a hardwood veneered MDF skirting. Howdens and such sell these.

Harry Thomson, H L Thomson Carpentry, Chertsey

Hi there. It’s personal preference really, MDF is cheaper and can come ready primed for painting with many off the shelf styles of mouldings. Soft or hardwood timbers for a more traditional look in a property and hardwood would be the most expensive option.

David Wynne, D W Joiners Ltd, Lanarkshire

MDF for me all day long.

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Which skirting boards are best?